Quite often the first experience of the Orthodox Christian Church for an typical person may be a church service. It might have been at the baptism of your nephew/niece, marriage of your best friend, or even the burial of a loved one. Others may have come across the Orthodox faith online, or in a conversation with a friend who is Orthodox. These initial interactions are hopefully fruitful to the point it leads you to attend a divine service.
After some time learning on the Orthodox Christian faith, attending some of our divine services, and may be asking questions to our parish priest, you may realize how beautifully unique and authentic the Orthodox Christian faith is. Under prayer, and discussing with our parish priest, if appropriate, you will begin the formal preparation to be received into the Orthodox Church as a catechumen. A catechumen is one who is preparing for Holy Baptism in the Church. During this time, the catechumen participates in the divine services of the church, and also receive formal instruction on the Orthodox Christian faith by our parish priest.
If one is joining the Orthodox Christian faith from another Christian denomination, a period of time is important to ensure proper discernment regarding those beliefs which are and are not part of our Ancient Faith.
Membership in the Orthodox Church is through Holy Baptism, which is a sacrament of the Holy Church. Baptism is “for the remission of sins” and for entrance into the Church; the person being baptized is cleansed of all sins and is united to Jesus Christ. Baptism is an personal participation in the death and the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Candidates entering into the Orthodox Christian faith may also receive the gift of the Holy Spirit, through the anointing of Holy Chrism. After being baptized and chrismated into the Orthodox Christian Church, the newly illumined Christian, receives precious Body and Blood of Jesus Christ, the Holy Eucharist for the first time.
If you are interested in joining the Orthodox Church we encourage you to participate in one of our divine services and arranged a time to speak with our Priest.
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